i can now reveal the whole storyaside from needing a filter to clear the airi wanted one i could have more filtering inand be able to change/clean filters less often(i could fill the one(s) on the machine in 15 minuets with the amount of cleaning i need to do)

so let’s see what we have for today’s fun

here is the ‘frame’ i madeto go on the filter side of the unit.this is to hold standard filter insertsfrom lowe’s 12”x24”x1” and will be able to hold reusable washable one’swhen i can do that sometimehere is the bottom panelready for the filter drop in.and with the filter. here the top.and the filter.now the first front filterslides in to place.followed by the second.and here the end framing.and it’s slide in filtersealing off the box.so here we have a start size of 2 sq. ft of intakemade bigger by 5 panels totaling 10 sq. ft of intake

it does not use more air or do anything faster/betterbut it does make for less cleaning and buying filters and replacing so often.it is like putting a screen around a pump pickupto keep the trash from clogging it so fast

i wanted to be more positive in the other blogbut recent events seemed to keep piling up on meso i just did the straight blog

thank you all that have encouraged me with your thoughts and prayersand in PM’s

as you know i have a very painful sciatica problemand have been seeking help for 2 months nowand had an MRI done i was told i had an aneurysm that might burst and kill meso had to wait 2 weeks to see a specialistwho promptly asked why i came with the smallest one he had ever seenwell that was good newsbut still no helpi struggled with very weak pain pillsand haven’t had a decent nights sleepin all this timeas the only way i can get any sleepis laying on the hip that hurtsthere by awakening me in even more painand finally tomorrow 2 months after seeking helpi have an appointment with a bone/back specialistand my prayer is that something may actually get donelike un-pinch the nerve maybe (?)

my 2 year LJ b’day came and wentbut i have stayed silent as a grumpy negative patronis no fun to be around

i also just found out i am a grandfather againa fact i learned by mistake it seemsas my son his wife or his mother don’t seem to think i may care (or deserve)to know that

i wanted to post this as a means of being active and positiveforgive me if i may have offended anyone

the filter box idea is goodbut i would just make a box out of plyand do some cutouts for the filtersas this one turned into a real ongoing quest to solve all the little detailsas they came up

well there you have ithope things are good with you and yours

enjoy !

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

37 comments so far

Hi David. I will quickly say great job on the build of the addtional filtration. Typical David ingenuity. More importantly, I want to offer my two cents regarding your back. I have lived with sporadic back pain since age 15. Over the years I have had great success with chiropractors. If you have never been please consider giving it a whirl. I have had sciatica only twice and man was it painful. I had occasion to walk into the chiropractor’s office with the use of a cane to support me one day. He treated me. The next day, I returned to his office without use of the cane. You mentioned a pinched nerve. A chiropractor may be able to relieve that pinching via manipulation. Just something to consider. I wish you well and speedy good health, my friend.

-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI

David, I understand about the sciatica as I have similar problems in my low back, have been sleeping on the floor for the last 3 days lucky to sleep for a couple of hours. Sometimes things suck and it looks like your filter will do very well at that! :)I hope things get better soon!

lenny i did 4 trips to the chiroin 18 hoursas soon as i laid downmy leg went into spasmshe said i was like a steel barnow that i have some better pain pillsi may just load upand lay downwhen i’m like a marshmallow.thanks michael same to you .
dez nothing like crawling aroundto make you appreciate the good things

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

lew tha advantage is you could even make a ‘chase’ around or down the centerand use whatever filter sizes you like

i always think of it like we were playing volleyball in heavenand God came and asked for volunteres to go to earthand fill this hard need thereand we all all put up our hands and said“take me Lord take me”

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

David, First of all, thanks for showing us your build on the filter. Your ideas are always so practical and inspiring.I need to do some work on air quality in my shop, but I seem to find other things pressing.

I hate hearing about your pain. I know firsthand how nerve and back problems make life very miserable.Hang in there, you have a lot of people praying for you and your recovery. For selfish reasons, we all want you healthy so you can keep encouraging and inspiring us.

Regardless of what your family thinks, you don’t deserve that. You have told us enough of your past to know you are not the same man you once were. We all deserve second chances. Again, hang in there. There are many here on Ljs that are your family, and we care!

David, I still think you just need to sniff black pepper and sneeze real good. lol I got lucky with my last bout with sciatica. I must admit that the deep muscle massage before the adjustment seemed to help more though. Here’s hoping that you get relief very soon. My heart goes out to you, little brother.

David, I hear what you are saying….I have had back problems for many years…I’ve had 3 disc’s go bad…several pinched nerves and painful arthritic bone spurs – all from years of construction and hard use. There isn’t alot that you can do for the pain other then grit it out, take lots of pain pills, or take a positive approach and manage the pain. There is nothing meaner then someone with a back ache….unless it is a really bad toothache…..pain can make a day unbearable.

I went the pain pill way for a while but got tired of my inability to do anything constructive as the pills made me tired and mentally impaired. I got tired of the docs writing prescriptions rather then looking for ways to help me manage the problems. There is also a stigma attached to taking pain pills. The doctors don’t like to prescribe too many (afraid you will get hooked and abuse them)...you also get flack from the pharmacies – You almost become a lower class citizen because of the pain. I tried chiropractors, othopedists….and accupuncture/accupressure…all with little to no long term relief.

I then took it upon myself to rehabilitate myself. I stared by doing simple stretches and excercises (basically simple yoga). I also started taking omega 3 oils (2-3 times a day) and glucosimine/chondroitin. I bought myself a portable TENS unit (Amazon carries several inexpensive ones) that I wear about 30 minutes a day – (these units have come down in price and are very affordable – they give you hours of pain management and run on simple batteries so they can be worn while you are mobile). I also use have an ultrasound unit that I use on the sacroiliac area to relieve any swelling (along with ice in the evenings and heat in the mornings).

I also keep my weight down and make sure I use correct lifting methods….so far this regimen has helped me alot…I have almost eliminated pain medication….and the bouts that used to lay me up for several days…are much fewer and clear up in a day or less. There is no magical cure out there….I figured it was all perspective….I could either lay around and feel sorry for myself…or take control and live life on my terms.

I like the air filters idea…..I am planning to make a similar air filter using a squirrel cage fan and building the filter box. I have been on the lookout for a good running fan and motor unit at swap meets and yardsales….so far I have a couple possibilities…but haven’t found one that can push as much air as I want through it (I’m not talking Tim the Toolman power….but something reasonable) One of my friends has 2 powermatic air filters in his shop hanging in the rafters….and his clean up is less then half of mine…in a similar size shop. I like the idea…but it is a pricey option (each unit is close to $400.00).